Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Festival

The Festival will take place June 25th-July 1st, with the windjammers scheduled to arrive in Linekin Bay on Tuesday, June 27th and then into Boothbay Harbor during the parade of sail on Wednesday, June 28th.

The Friends of Windjammer Days, a group of local citizens and business owners, says the yearly celebration of these magnificent tall ships, which played a key role in making Boothbay Harbor a center of American ship building, has historically been a community-led effort that kicks off the summer tourist season and brings a significant boost to the region’s economy. Last year, the festival generated thousands of dollars in revenue for local businesses.

“We are excited to bring this event back to its roots as a community-led effort,” said Dianne Gimbel, a co-chair of Friends of Windjammer Days. “We are grateful for the many volunteers who have already stepped up to make this year’s event memorable, and especially to the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce for their sponsorship and support.”

For more than 50 years, the Chamber had taken the lead on organizing the event working with volunteers, including solicitation of sponsors. With the new 501c3 status, The Friends of Windjammer Days, has taken advantage of grant opportunities and tax deductible contributions. The organization has engaged even more citizens and businesses in sponsoring, planning and running this year’s events. The Chamber is working closely with Friends of Windjammer Days this year and is a lead sponsor of the festival.

The majority of Windjammer Days events are free to the public, unlike other festivals that have tickets or fee-based activities. The annual Windjammer Days Festival will feature several new events and attractions, including a Cod Fish Race where relay teams have to transport a fish through the streets of town in full foul weather gear, lobster eating contest, and food booths from local restaurants, as well as classic events such as the Boothbay Harbor One Design Boat Race; the hometown street parade; an antique boat parade; Artists’ Alley; waterfront concerts; Pirates of the Dark Rose; museum exhibits; kids’ tents; pancake breakfast; boat excursions; and a spectacular fireworks display over the harbor.